Princess Changning could not remember the incident at all.
Lu Zhaoyun stepped forward and tugged at Lu Zhaoling's hand. "Second Sister, what are you making a scene for? The Princess doesn't even know you. It was impossible for you to have met her before today, so how could she have taken something of yours?"
"That's right, Second Sister. What could our family possibly have that would catch the Princess's eye?" Lu Zhaohua added, quickly following behind. "Is it because your head was hit by those thugs, and now your mind is a bit muddled?"
She had to seize this chance to perform in front of Princess Changning.
Princess Changning looked at Lu Zhaoling's head and let out a snicker, her tone laced with blatant malice. "Hit on the head? I've heard that such an injury can turn a person into an idiot. Lu Zhaoling, surely you haven't already become a fool?"
Several young ladies nearby joined in the laughter. "It's certainly a possibility."
"Hey, fool! Come here, bark like a dog a few times, and I'll reward you with a meatball." One girl picked up a vegetarian meatball with her chopsticks and tossed it onto the grass. "Here, eat up."
To claim that Princess Changning owed her something if she wasn't a fool, what was she? She must be suffering from hysteria! What was the Lu Family's standing compared to a Princess? Did they even have the right to have a Princess owe them anything?
They recalled how Lu Zhaoling had just struck He Lianxin's maid earlier, which only reinforced their belief that she was insane. Who in their right mind would dare do such a thing?
Princess Changning shook with laughter. She lifted her foot and kicked the meatball toward Lu Zhaoling's feet. "This is a vegetarian meatball made by an Imperial Chef from the palace. Miss Lin said it's a reward for you aren't you happy? Hurry up, get down on all fours and eat it, you fool."
Lu Zhaohua's pupils shrank.
How had the situation shifted so abruptly? How did Lu Zhaoling suddenly become the target of such mockery? Although her previous words were meant to lead them in that direction, she hadn't expected these people to immediately treat Lu Zhaoling like a common idiot.
Gu Qing, who had been sitting by the table, stood up and glared at Lin Jiaojiao. "Lin Jiaojiao, you are going too far with this humiliation!"
Lin Jiaojiao had always been the most obedient follower by the Princess's side, which was why she was the first to act so cruelly.
"Gu Qing, I suggest you keep your eyes open. What, are you planning to oppose the Princess?" Lin Jiaojiao shot her a disdainful look. "Your father is merely a minor official of the seventh rank. You should be secretly rejoicing that the Princess even allows you to play with her!"
Shen Xiangjun sat to the side, remaining silent.
Everyone's gaze was fixed on Lu Zhaoling.
Lu Zhaoyun's palms were beginning to sweat. Lu Zhaoling had only taken two sips of the fruit tea; could the medicine have taken effect so quickly?
"Fool, have you really lost your mind? Why are you staring at me? Eat the meatball! This is an Imperial delicacy you wouldn't be able to taste in a lifetime."
Lu Zhaoling crouched down and reached out to pick up the meatball.
The onlookers' eyes widened. Is she really that far gone? Is she actually going to eat it?
Gu Qing instinctively took a step forward, but a voice suddenly spoke beside her. "Think of your father."
Gu Qing froze. She turned her head, but Shen Xiangjun wasn't looking at her. Her expression was cold and indifferent, as if she hadn't been the one to just utter that threat.
For Chancellor Shen, dealing with a seventh rank official was as simple as crushing an ant. Gu Qing felt a wave of distress. These people were getting more and more out of hand...
"Yes, eat it." Princess Changning watched Lu Zhaoling with excitement, her eyes locked onto her movements.
In that instant, Lu Zhaoling suddenly lunged toward her. She tossed her cup aside, pinched Princess Changning's face with one hand, and with the other, violently shoved the dirt-covered meatball into the Princess's mouth.
"Gag!"
Princess Changning choked, nearly retching, as Lu Zhaoling retreated.
"Ah! Princess!"
"Lu Zhaoling, have you lost your mind?!"
"Quickly, pull her away!"
Shocked by Lu Zhaoling's actions, the crowd began to scream. Several girls lunged at Lu Zhaoling, some trying to slap her and others trying to grab her.
Lu Zhaoling reached out, grabbed Lu Zhaoyun and Lu Zhaohua, and shoved them in front of her as shields.
Immediately, several sets of claws scratched at their hair and faces.
"Aah!"
The Lu sisters shrieked in pain and instinctively began to fight back. The garden dissolved into a chaotic brawl.
Princess Changning managed to spit out the meatball, but with the taste of soil still in her mouth, she couldn't stop dry-heaving.
"Beat her to death! Kill her!"
The plan to make Lu Zhaoling look foolish by copying sutras was forgotten. Why bother with such roundabout methods? She wanted Lu Zhaoling beaten to death right now!
The guards of the Princess's Manor came running. Usually, the guards avoided the area when it was filled with noble ladies, but hearing the Princess's screams, they rushed in immediately.
Princess Changning took a cup of fruit tea from a maid to rinse her mouth. Her eyes were bloodshot and her expression savage as she pointed at Lu Zhaoling, teeth gnashed. "Seize her! Beat her to death!"
"Princess, she's engaged to Prince Jin!" someone cried out in fear, trying to use Prince Jin's name to stop the madness.
"I will take full responsibility for whatever happens! Uncle Jin would never pity a lowly life like hers! What are you all standing there for? Seize her!"
She had never suffered such an incredible humiliation! And this was in her own manor! Lu Zhaoling had truly grown some iron nerves!
Several guards charged toward Lu Zhaoling. The noble ladies who had been caught in the scratching match scrambled to get out of the way.
Lu Zhaoyun and Lu Zhaohua were trembling with fear, but they didn't dare say anything to stop the Princess. If Lu Zhaoling really was beaten to death by the Princess, surely Prince Jin wouldn't hold them responsible?
"Miss!"
Just as the guards reached Lu Zhaoling, two figures flew through the air, kicking the men away in an instant.
Qingyin and Qingbao's hearts had nearly stopped. They had arrived just in time to witness the scene.
The moment they moved, Lu Zhaoling let go of her sisters. Originally, she had intended to use more... unorthodox methods, but since the two maids had arrived, she decided to restrain herself.
In her past life, she was the genius Senior Sister of the Xuan Sect. she had argued with her masters and beaten dozens of junior disciples; she had never been the type to suffer a loss. Even the rest of the mystic world would go out of their way to avoid her path.
"How dare you! You have the audacity to lay a hand on our Miss!" Qingbao roared.
Princess Changning stomped her foot in rage. "What kind of things are you two?!"
"I am Qingbao (and I am Qingyin), the personal maids given to Miss by Prince Jin!" The two maids reached behind their waists and, to everyone's shock, drew weapons.
One unsheathed a dagger that glinted with a cold light. The other snapped a soft whip, which let out a sharp crack as it tore through the air.
Their killing intent was palpable.
The faces of the onlookers went pale as they scrambled back several steps.
People from Prince Jin's Manor!
Didn't they say Prince Jin would never protect a lowly life like Lu Zhaoling?
Princess Changning was stunned for a moment before her fury redoubled. "You two lowly sluts! Don't you recognize me? You actually dare to protect her!"
Shouldn't the people from Prince Jin's Manor be standing on her side? How dare they! Princess Changning refused to believe that after just one meeting on the street, Prince Jin would actually harbor feelings for Lu Zhaoling!
"The Princess has bullied our Miss in such a manner; have you prepared an explanation for Prince Jin?" Qingyin asked coldly, showing not a hint of fear.
🚨 Note: Consider supporting this story on Patreon.com/Flokixy to access 400+ advance chapters and 2 new chapters daily! (Full story bundles also available without a subscription).